Hasta La Ideas

Functional Window AC is a lighter-side-of-life take on window ACs and the general concept of owning updated appliances. With innovations in technology and frequent design changes, most window air conditioners get outdated pretty fast. By equipping this concept with a blank sketching surface, the designer suggests that we design our own AC covers and keep them updated with doodles and current themes.

Designer: Stephen Reon Francisco

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Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store – We are about more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the YD Store!
(Doodle-an-AC was originally posted on Yanko Design)

Related posts:

1. Cup a’ Doodle
2. Doodle While You Doodie
3. Doodle Masterpiece

I like the idea that Hong Ying Guo is exploring with the Purifi Pan. The concept is simple; eliminating annoying cooking fumes right at the source and converting it to a refreshing gust of air. The approach is to add an electronic purifying element straight on the pan’s rim and doing away with conventional hoods. Hopefully its detachable, to enable easy cleaning and as we can see it is suitable for different sized utensils, with a couple of tweaks and refinements, I think we’ll have a winner in our hands.

Designer: Hong Ying Guo

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Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store – We are about more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the YD Store!
(Non-aromatic Cooking? was originally posted on Yanko Design)

Related posts:

1. Cooking Stones
2. Cooking with a Twist
3. Cooking All Tile-Like

Gift Guide selections to snap up at a store near you as time runs out

While off-the-radar boutique goods tend to make for more unique gifts, they may be hard to come by at the last minute. For the shopper still seeking something special, we’ve culled a range of eight items from our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide that can be found in stores throughout the world.

Raleigh Clubman

This heritage-inspired 10-speed road bike has been upgraded with Brooks bar tape and saddle and constructed with Reynolds 520 Classic Steel Tubing to absorb rough city commutes and long distance touring. With integrated steel fenders this beauty is set up for riding in all seasons. Find it at a one of Raleigh’s international retailers.

Nudo Italian Spaghetti and Olive Oil Set

Combining Nudo’s spectacular organic spaghetti and extra virgin olive oil, this set includes a handsome tin for storing spaghetti down the line. Most notably, Nudo is one of the few makers that use only first cold press EVOO. Available from Nudo stockists.

Ekobo Knife Block Collection

These French knife blocks are ethically crafted by artisans in Vietnam though a fair trade agreement using only renewable materials. The bamboo skewers allow for flexible storage and can be removed for cleaning. Available in a number of colored finishes and sizes from Ekobo retailers.

Dieter Rams for Braun Watch

Discontinued but not forgotten, Braun recently re-issued a line of watches and clocks designed by famed German industrialist Dieter Rams. The spare, functional collection was approved by Rams’ partner Dietrich Lubs and harkens back to design heyday of the 1970s. Find yours at a Braun time retailer.

Dazed & Confused: Making It Up As We Go Along (Hardcover)

This 336-page volume covers 20 years of the London magazine that’s been a driver of style, design and popular culture. Co-founders chief editor Jefferson Hack and fashion photographer Rankin revisit the magazine’s often controversial romp through the magazine’s coverage—and influence—over artists and the arts scene in the UK and beyond. Search Rizzoli’s listings for a local bookseller.

Sonos Play:3

A perfect all-in-one system for wireless music streaming, the Sonos Play:3 delivers incredible sound quality in a compact package. The system features three class-D digital amplifiers and three drivers, as well as complete wireless control through the Sonos app. Find yours through the Sonos store locator.

Sony PlayStation 3 Wireless Stereo Headset

The logical choice for audiophile gamers, this wireless headset for PS3 is equipped with 7.1 virtual surround-sound to enable you to hear your opponents before you see them. The perfect accessory for smoking noobs in this season’s hottest FPS, it can be purchased from one of many Sony stockists.

DeLonghi kMix Coffee Maker

Perfect for a no-fuss morning brew, the minimalist kMix drip coffee maker from DeLonghi comes in a variety of punchy colors. Made from die-cast aluminum, the appliance features an intuitive interface and adjustable temperature control for the right amount of heat. Find it at a DeLonghi distributor.

Simple design, fresh color and clean lines meet just in time for breakfast

We recently checked out the colorful new line of appliances from DeLonghi first hand. A nostalgic feel combined with the bold hues of today initially brought the kMix Collection to our attention; the intuitive controls and ease of use kept us interested. Adding to the appeal, each die-cast aluminum appliance comes in eight colors—including our favored green—for an unbelievably cute look.

Fun colors aside, the size and minimalism of the controls are the real selling points for the five-cup drip coffeemaker. The compact silhouette and one-button design make for unobtrusive presence not often found in counter-top makers. Plus, it has all the usual features that ensure proper brewing temperature and keep your coffee hot once brewed—everything you need and nothing you don’t.

All-metal, the two-slice toaster is both basic and functional. To prevent burning your breakfast, the “peek and view” function lifts the toast to check without canceling the timer, and variable browning control ensures a consistent toast each time. We also really appreciate the bun warmer and toast rack, a clever addition that sits atop the toaster and does just what its name implies.

Both the toaster and coffeemaker are available now from Bloomingdales for $125 and $165, respectively. Check Broadway Panhanndler for the electric kettle ($80), and espresso-maker ($300), as well as the other products in the collection.

Also on Cool Hunting: The DeLonghi Gran Dama

Handy sleeves make perfect toaster sandwiches without the mess

A game-changing food invention that just about rivals sliced bread, ToastaBags provides a mess-free method for making a sandwich toasted to perfection. This child-friendly product is ideal for those with an affinity for sandwiches that ooze with melted cheese—a liking shared by ToastaBags’ maker, Boska Holland, which has been “exploring cheese” since 1896.

Preparing a toasty is as simple as dropping a sandwich stacked with your favorite ingredients into a ToastaBag and placing the bag in the toaster. The fine mesh allows for crispness while catching any drips. When it’s done, you can easily remove the bag without burning your fingers and clean up is a cinch too. You can throw them in the dishwasher or wash by hand with warm water about 50 times before they’re no longer reusable. For those truly committed to toasty sandwiches, the bags are worlds more convenient than having to house an extra appliance.

Get your Boska Holland’s ToastaBags from the Cheese Fondue Shop for around $8, available in a packet of three.